Important Decisions

Finding a health care provider for your pregnancy is probably one of the most important choices you’ll make early on. Dr. Chauhdry is Boarded by the American College of Obstetricians and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology.

Jill Nelson, PA-C is Board Certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants.

Katie Gleason, CNM is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

We are Providers who specialize in Women’s Health Care. Unlike other local providers, we ONLY practice Obstetrics and Gynecology, which includes all aspects of Women’s Health Care.We are a group practice, so we work together to take care of our patients.

It’s important to us that you are comfortable with your pregnancy care provider. If you have concerns, make sure you bring them up.

Childbirth preparation is a means of coping with pain and reducing the discomfort associated with labor and delivery. Childbirth preparation classes teach these various techniques. The most common methods of preparation — Lamaze, Bradley and Read — are based on the theory that much of the pain of childbirth is caused by fear and tension. Although specific techniques vary, childbirth methods seek to relieve discomfort through education, support, relaxation, paced breathing and touch. Here is a brief overview:

Lamaze: The Lamaze method of childbirth was invented in the 1950s by French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze. This method is based on the idea that a woman’s inner wisdom guides her through childbirth. Lamaze childbirth education helps women gain confidence in their bodies and learn to make informed decisions about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting. To learn more about this method, visit Lamaze International.

Bradley: The Bradley method views childbirth as a natural process and is based on the belief that a healthy pregnancy and birth can be achieved through education, preparation and support from a childbirth coach. This method involves the active participation of the mother and her coach during the labor process and teaches a variety of relaxation techniques. Find more information about the Bradley method here.

Read: One of the first methods to introduce the concept of prepared childbirth, the Read method seeks to eliminate fear and anxiety by educating mothers and coaches about labor and delivery. The Read method is explained in the book Childbirth Without Fear, written by its founder, Dr. Grantly Dick-Read.

Hypnobirthing: This method teaches relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques. The instructors have gone through extensive training. The goal is to teach women how to harness the body’s natural painkilling chemicals — endorphins — to achieve a natural and fear-free childbirth. Information about this method is available online.

With all of the choices available, you’re likely to find something that appeals to you and your individual beliefs.

Circumcision means cutting away the foreskin, a layer of skin that covers the tip of the penis. An anesthetic will be used to lessen the pain. Circumcision usually is done soon after birth and before the baby leaves the hospital.

For some parents, circumcision is a religious ritual. It also can be a matter of family tradition or personal hygiene. Studies show that there are some medical benefits to circumcision, including a slightly decreased risk of urinary tract infections during the first year of life; a lower risk of getting cancer of the penis (although this cancer is very rare to begin with); a slightly lower risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); and a lower risk of infection of the foreskin.

However, these medical reasons are not sufficient to recommend circumcision for all infant boys, and the American Academy of Pediatrics believes the decision should be left to the parents. If you want your son circumcised, tell your health care provider ahead of time. Also, check with your insurance provider because the procedure may not be covered.

Some patients wish to have their families present to witness their bay’s birth. You can have as many visitors before and after the birth. However, we request ONLY 2-3 people for the delivery. The rooms are small and our Delivery Room Team may have issues providing the best care if there are too many people in the room.

You may want to start thinking about whether you would like pain relief during labor and delivery. You don’t have to decide now, but it’s a good idea to know your options. Even if you do make a decision now, you may change your mind once you’re in labor.

Each woman’s labor is unique. The amount of pain a woman feels during labor may differ from that felt by another woman. Pain depends on many factors, such as the size and position of the baby, the strength of contractions, and how you handle pain.

Some women take classes to learn breathing and relaxation techniques to help cope with pain during childbirth. Others may find it helpful to use these techniques along with pain medications.

There are two types of pain-relieving drugs — analgesics and anesthetics. Analgesics lessen the pain, while anesthetics block all pain and sensation. Some forms of anesthesia, such as general anesthesia, cause you to lose consciousness. General anesthesia usually is not used for vaginal births. Other forms, such as regional anesthesia, remove all feeling of pain from parts of the body while you stay conscious. Several forms of regional anesthesia are used during childbirth:

Epidural Block: Epidural blocks cause loss of some feeling in the lower part of a woman’s body, yet she remains awake and alert. An epidural block may be given soon after contractions start or later as labor progresses. It is given through a thin tube inserted in the lower back.

Spinal Block: A spinal block — like an epidural block — is done with an injection in the lower back. It provides good relief from pain and starts working fast, but it lasts only an hour or two. It usually is used for cesarean delivery and only rarely in late labor or for a vaginal delivery.

There are advantages and disadvantages for each form of anesthesia. An anesthesiologist will work with your health care team to help you choose the best method.

If you are planning to return to work after having the baby, finding good child care will be a top priority for you and your partner. Give yourself some time to figure out which option is best for your family. You may want to arrange child care during the final weeks before the baby arrives. Ask around for child care recommendations.

There are three basic child care options: care in your home, care in a caregiver’s home, or care in a child care center. If you want to hire someone to care for your baby in your home (such as a nanny or au pair), contact agencies that focus on child care placements. This type of care can be very costly. To cut costs, some parents share a caregiver with another family. The caregiver in these “share-care” setups is paid to watch two babies in one family’s home.

A less-costly option is having a relative or a licensed provider care for your baby in their home. In most cases, these caregivers watch more than one child. Child care centers are another option. This type of setting may take care of many groups of children of all different ages. Some accept babies as young as six weeks, and some do not take infants until they are out of diapers, so be sure to ask questions while you’re doing your research.